Improvement in invalid bedsteads



NiTED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JOHN R. HILL, OF GOSHEN, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN INVALID BEDSTEADS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 4 1,996, dated March 22, 1864.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN R. HILL, of Goshen, Olermont county, Ohio, have invented a new and useful Invalid Attachment for Bedsteads; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionthereof, referentie being had to the annexed drawings, making part of this specification.

My invention relates to a construction of invalid-supporteror hospitalcradle adapte ,l for attachment to a common bedstead, and having various adjustments to relieve the necessities of the patient.

Figure l is a perspective View of a supporter embodying my invention. Fig. 2shows part of the cradle-bottom7 detached. Fig. 3 represents one of the notched hangers.

A represents a common bedstead.

B are posts or standards secured, respectively, to the head and foot of the bedstead by means of clamps CQ D is an adjustable frame, having abeam, E, whose ends enter vertical slots F in the posts B and terminate in brackets G, to which are attached cords H, which, being carried over pulleys l, are secured to windlasses J. A ratchet attachment, K, holds the frame D to any desired elevation. The beam E is traversed by three stout rods, L, which carry at their extremities two side beams, M M', from which depend hangers N, Whose lower ends are held apart by the joint action of nuts O on the rods L and stretchers P. The hangers N are notched, n, near their lower ends to receive and hold rails Q Q, over which there is stretched a piece of stout canvas, R, which forms the cradlefbottom. The cradle-bottom R contains an aperture, S, for the calls of nature,which, when not needed, may be closed by a b'and, T, having one end fastened to the rail Q or bot-tom R, and the other drawn over a roller, U, the same band also affording a support for the vessel.

V is a limbsupporter hinged by its lower edge to the middle hangers, N, and maintained at any required elevation by means of a windlass, W. These provisions enable the patient to be brought without painto any desired height and position, the head of the cradle being depressed or elevated according to the necessities of the case. Thus for the reduction of a fracture or dislocation of the thigh the requisite tension maybe secured by a considerable depression of the cradle-head, the maimed limb being upheld on the limbsupporter V and lashed to the upper part of the adjustable frame. The only part of this attachment which is required to be in place on the bedstead before its occupation by the patient is the cradle-bottom Q Q' R. The

frame D may be applied at any time thereafter, and as easily and quickly removed.

I have selected to illustrate my invention an arrangement used successfully with patients under my charge, but do not propose to restrict the improvement to the precise form here described so long as the same ends are attained by means substantially equivalent. Thus, for example, the elevating devices may consist of screws and nuts, of worm-wheels and racks or of racks, and pinions.

I claim herein as new and of my inventionl. Suspending the bottom of an invalidcradle by a frame, D, capable of elevation or depression at either or both ends by Windlasses H I, or their equivalents, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In the described combination, with the suspended frame D of an invalid-cradle, the provision of standards B and clamps O for attachment to a common loedstead` as set forth.

3. The arrangement oi the parts L O P Nn Q Q' for sustaining and laterally stretching the bottom R of an invalid-cradle.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

JOHN R. HILL.

Witnesses:

GEO. H. KNIGHT, WILLIAM MEGENE. 

